Brad Davis: We need that winning mentality at Bath Rugby

First-team coach Brad Davis has backed Bath to return to the Heineken Cup next season despite their stuttering start to the current campaign.

An eighth-placed finish last term meant Bath missed out on a spot in Europe’s premier competition, instead having to settle for participation in the Amlin Cup.

They have looked most convincing when playing on the continent this season and have won just half of their Aviva Premiership fixtures following last Sunday’s defeat at London Welsh.

Their bid to reclaim a place amongst Europe’s elite now sees Bath’s attentions turn to the LV= Cup, with the tournament victors handed an automatic berth into next year’s Heineken Cup.

“It is another avenue for Heineken Cup qualification and I have no doubt that we will get qualification,” said Davis, ahead of Bath’s opener at home to Newport Gwent Dragons tomorrow (2.15pm).

“Whether it’s through the Premiership, the LV= or the Amlin, we’re going to get it.

“It’s important for us to strive for success and have that winning mentality in whichever game we play. It’s a cliche but winning breeds confidence.”

Despite the frustration at not being able to rectify their Premiership form for two weeks, Davis expects Bath to return to winning ways against the Dragons.

The RaboDirect Pro 12 strugglers head to The Rec on the back of five straight defeats and have won just twice this season.

“This break can be a good thing and a bad thing because when you fall off the horse you want to get straight back on it,” said Davis.

“At the moment we’re sitting four and four when we’d like to be coming into this break on the back of a win. Now we have to stew on it for a couple of weeks.

“But make no mistake we are going to right the wrongs from Sunday and move forward in a positive way.”

A much-changed Bath side is expected to take to the field this weekend, with youngsters who have impressed in the Aviva A League set to be rewarded with first-team chances in the absence of internationals Francois Louw, Davey Wilson, who is on the bench for England, Paul James and Horacio Agulla.

New signing Nick Koster is likely to feature either this weekend or in next Friday’s trip to Harlequins, with the club also hopeful Ryan Caldwell will be fit to play for the first time this season.